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Articles by Omar N. White
Constructing an all Montreal Canadiens prospect roster
Use your ← → (arrows) to browse DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Jesperi Kotkaniemi Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens prospect pool is as better as ever creating a good deal of excitement for what is to come in the future. Some things have changed for the Montreal Canadiens in the last two years while others have remained the same.
The Montreal Canadiens have placed Tomas Plekanec on unconditional waivers
There was nothing but smiles from the Montreal Canadiens and the fanbase when Tomas Plekanec returned during free agency. The 36-year-old had been a staple in Montreal for years, and it wasn’t the same not having him on the team. However, questions began to rise as to where Plekanec fit on the roster. Having him be the fourth line centre worked for a bit, but it took away from the possibility of making Matthew Peca the guy long-term.
Montreal Canadiens place Jacob de La Rose on waivers
OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Montreal Canadiens left wing Jacob de la Rose (25) waits for a face-off during third period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on September 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Something like this was a long time coming for the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens trade Will Bitten to the Minnesota Wild
ST. PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 12: Minnesota Wild defenseman Gustav Olofsson (23) in action. Oloffson registered his 1st NHL point in the 1st period during the regular season game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota Wild on February 12, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens were expected to have several young facers on their minor league roster.
Montreal Canadiens: Karl Alzner joins Tomas Plekanec on the scratched list
OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Karl Alzner (27) skates with the puck during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators on September 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens are not messing around this season.
Montreal Canadiens: Staying off the highlight reel against the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Montreal Canadiens had one of their better performances from everyone the last time they faced the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Habs found themselves down 2-0 but battled back with three goals of their own thanks to Jonathan Drouin, Nikita Scherbak, and Jacob de La Rose. Unfortunately, the Penguins answered back with three goals of their own to win the game 5-3. One of those included the Sidney Crosby baseball extravaganza that had the hockey world talking for days.
Montreal Canadiens: Youppi! could hold his own in a fight
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 16: Mascots Youppie of the Montreal Canadiens and Spartacat of the Ottawa Senators walks along prior to the 2017 Scotiabank NHL 100 Classic at Lansdowne Park on December 16, 2017 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Francois Laplante/Getty Images/Freestyle Photo) No one talks about NHL mascots as much. For the most part, their parts of a game that are meant to be seen and only seen seeing as how they don’t say anything (that we know of).
Montreal Canadiens: Carey Price is back leaving Charlie Lindgren for the AHL
Similar to what happened earlier in the season, Carey Price looks to be ready to return to the lineup leaving Charlie Lindgren to get sent back down to the AHL. The Montreal Canadiens was without their starting goaltender for 13 games after suffering a concussion against the Philadelphia Flyers. Price has been practicing with the team for the last week, so his return to the team was coming soon, and he’ll at least be dressing for the Habs.
Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin is improving on his weaknesses
There have been many critiques on Jonathan Drouin‘s ability to play centre for the Montreal Canadiens. At the forefront is his engagement and effort as sometimes the young forward would be far less as effective as he could be. Drouin has had a lot more responsibility to harbour since moving to the middle of the ice, and it’s definitely taken a toll on his offensive production. However, the one thing that has stood out the most are his numbers in the faceoff circle.
Montreal Canadiens: Prospects gearing up for the playoffs
There’s no better value than playing meaningful hockey. That may strike a nerve considering the Montreal Canadiens won’t be doing that this year, but it’s a positive that the players in the prospect pool will be getting their chance to compete for a championship. Some of the Habs future have already won some silver. Jake Evans and the University of Notre Dame are Big Ten Champions after defeating Ohio State Saturday night.
Montreal Canadiens: The next point of interest are the Los Angeles Kings
Al Montoya and the Edmonton Oilers finally did it yesterday, and the veteran had his seventh start against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your stance for the team, they dropped the game 3-1, and Montoya made 37 saves in the process. The good news for the Montreal Canadiens is that they officially have the conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2018 upgraded to a fourth as the conditions have been met.
Montreal Canadiens: What to make of Michael McCarron’s game
It’ safe to say that the power of St. Patrick wasn’t on the side of the Montreal Canadiens last night. The team started out strong against the speed and youth of the Toronto Maple Leafs including the Jonathan Drouin and Jacob de La Rose lines who had several minutes of sustained pressure in the offensive zone in the opening period. Unfortunately, that effort only lasted for the opening 20, and it was all Leafs afterwards.
Montreal Canadiens: Jake Evans adds Big Ten Champion to his resume
ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 05: Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jake Evans (18) skates with the puck against Michigan Wolverines forward Dexter Dancs (90) during a regular season Big 10 Conference hockey game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Michigan Wolverines on January 5, 2018 at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) There were three prospects who the Montreal Canadiens were most likely going to keep their eye on this season.
Montreal Canadiens: The need for a franchise player
The 2017/18 season has proven that the Montreal Canadiens need a lot of things. To tick off some of them quickly: a number one centre, top pairing left defenceman, and a better prospect pool. Fortunately, there are some players in the organization right now who have the potential to fit that role. The prospect pool can be improved with some hard work from Trevor Timmins and the rest of the scouting staff at this year’s draft, especially with four second-round picks at their disposal.
Montreal Canadiens: Not enough four-leaf clovers this season
Good morning Montreal Canadiens fans. Today is the day where you put on your best green and pinch those who aren’t as St. Patricks Day rolls into our calendars. It’s also a day that reminds us of the lucky things out there. You know, the horseshoes or rabbit’s feet, those kinds of things. Perhaps you have your own objects that bring you luck like that pencil you aced a test or fill out a winning lottery ticket with.
Montreal Canadiens: Spotlight is on Michael McCarron against the Leafs
The Montreal Canadiens haven’t been expected to win many games in the final stretch of the season. However, the team has been able to put together some strong efforts despite coming out with the loss. Their two games against the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins are two prime examples of that. Although the Habs only one of them, each had a lot of positives and reassurances for the future. That being said, tonight’s game is different.
Montreal Canadiens HvL (S2E25): Tanking through injuries
It’s the final stretch of the 2017/18 season and the boys of Habsfans vs. Leafsfan have a lot to fight about. The Toronto Maple Leafs have had their ticket to the playoffs virtually punched for the last few months while the Montreal Canadiens are counting down the days to that final game in April. The Habs, in particular, have played a handful of well-fought games lately despite the growing notion from the fan base to lose more.
Montreal Canadiens: Alex Galchenyuk loves playing at home
It seems like Alex Galchenyuk is doing something special every night for the Montreal Canadiens. He had that amazing cut-through rush to feed Artturi Lehkonen for his first goal in the Dallas Stars game and walked out of the match against the Pittsburgh Penguins with two assists. The pair last night set a new career high for Galchenyuk for helpers with 28 tying him for the team lead in points with 44. The interesting thing about the 24-year-old’s production has been where it’s coming from.
Montreal Canadiens: A night of redemption over the Pittsburgh Penguins
Antti Niemi had a chance to face his former team on Tuesday in a Montreal Canadiens uniform, and he’ll get to do it again tonight. It’s a stretch of games the veteran probably doesn’t want to remember, but he originally started the season as a hopeful backup for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Unfortunately, after three games of allowing at least four goals, Niemi found himself on waivers and after a short stop in Florida, found a home in Montreal.
Montreal Canadiens: Updates on Carey Price and Andrew Shaw
The Montreal Canadiens have had a lot of injuries in this second half of the season. The most recent being what happened with Andrew Shaw in the Dallas Stars game. A collision with former Habs defenceman Greg Pateryn forced A. Shaw to leave the ice with what looked to be some sort of head injury after being knocked unconscious. Claude Julien updated fans and media by saying that the 26-year-old is at home resting and feels better than he did after the initial hit.
Montreal Canadiens: A step closer to an upgrade at the Entry Draft
Many Montreal Canadiens fans thought last night was the game they were waiting for. Al Montoya‘s play and more specifically his start count, with the Edmonton Oilers have been put underneath a microscope ever since the conditions on the trade were revealed a little after the trade. If the 33-year-old starts seven games for the Oilers, the fifth-round pick in this year’s draft is bumped up to the fourth-round.
Montreal Canadiens: It’s a golden opportunity for Michael McCarron
The Montreal Canadiens have been able to make the most out of a playoff-less season by giving their younger players bigger roles. Noah Juulsen has been rock steady on the blue line since making his NHL debut, while Nikita Scherbak is continuing to display the top-six skill many hoped he would eventually bring to the table. With the latest injuries to Phillip Danault and Andrew Shaw, Michael McCarron is going to get his shot as well.
Montreal Canadiens: Will Shea Weber be ready for the start of the season?
There’s finally an end to the Shea Weber foot injury arc for the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old underwent successful surgery to repair tendons on his left foot yesterday. That’s great news for Weber considering how long the injury has lasted. The not so nice news about it is that it will take six months for him to recover for it. Fans are still a little frustrated on how the injury was handled, and it’s definitely warranted.
Montreal Canadiens: The young and fast came to play
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 13: Montreal Canadiens right wing Nikita Scherbak (38) celebrates after scoring during the third period of the NHL game between the Dallas Stars and the Montreal Canadiens on March 13, 2018, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens and their losing streak ended at five games. The Dallas Stars got things started with a goal from Radek Faksa, but it was special teams that got the Habs the win.
Montreal Canadiens: Antti Niemi is making fans believers
At the end of last season, the Dallas Stars realized that they couldn’t run with both Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen after trading for Ben Bishop. The 34-year-old was bought out by the team and after a series of waiver claims ended up with the Montreal Canadiens. Call it irony or poetic justice, but the fact that Niemi stepped up and had another good game for the Habs to beat the Stars is funny when you consider they’re still paying him $1.5 million. However, that’s beside the point.
Montreal Canadiens: The bigger picture of the Andrew Shaw story
It was a scary moment for the Montreal Canadiens and Andrew Shaw. Seeing a player unconscious requiring the help of the training staff to get off the ice is never something that sits well with anyone. We can talk about the fact that A. Shaw initiated the hit and that it was the contact with Greg Pateryn‘s helmet that knocked him out. We can dive into Pateryn laying two punches on him before realizing the severity of what was going on.
Montreal Canadiens: Enemy’s Insight – Tracking the organizational depth
In a season like the Montreal Canadiens have had, the most interesting thing to do is track the prospects. William Bitten and Michael Pezzetta are two directly in the crosshairs of the organization at the moment, but others such as Ryan Poehling and Jake Evans will be prospects to tune into as well as their playoffs are set to start soon. Even young players overseas, most specifically Lukas Vejdemo who’s had his best SHL season by far with 10 goals and 12 assists in 47 games.
Montreal Canadiens: Home penalty kill vs. road penalty kill
COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 12: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) attempts a shot on goal as Montreal Canadiens goaltender Charlie Lindgren (39) blocks in the first period of a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Montreal Canadiens on March 12, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.(Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens finished this final multi-day road trip with a 1-3-2 record.
Montreal Canadiens: A blast from the past with Alexander Radulov
Last season’s big return to the Bell Centre for the Montreal Canadiens was P.K. Subban. After Alexander Radulov‘s departure to play in Dallas, this was a game many had circled on their calendars. The story of negotiations between Radulov and Marc Bergevin has been one that fans are tired of hearing but at the same time don’t understand. Considering the among of cap-space the Montreal Canadiens still have, the fact that Radulov isn’t on the team still doesn’t sit well.
Montreal Canadiens: Mike Reilly has been an impactful deadline addition
It’s one thing to hope for a team to make a move at the Trade Deadline, and another thing to hope whatever player(s) they acquire play a valuable role. The common belief was that the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets came out as the big winners on February 26th with Ryan Hartman and Paul Stasny joining the fold respectively. You could argue that San Jose should be happy as well with Evander Kane having six points in as many games.
Montreal Canadiens: Endorsements are all Geoff Molson can give
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 17: President and owner of the Montreal Canadiens Geoff Molson takes part in the discussion at the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal Luncheon during the NHL Centennial 100 Celebration at Hotel Bonaventure on November 17, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/NHLI via Getty Images) At the beginning of the season, Montreal Canadiens management, like all teams in the league, voiced their optimism in a successful year.
Montreal Canadiens: In Jonathan Drouin’s defence
Every team has a new addition to their team who fans can’t stop raving about. Last summer for the Montreal Canadiens, it was Jonathan Drouin. At first, the idea that the Habs were acquiring a young francophone skilled player who had the potential to become a star on the team quickly. The excitement around Drouin intensified after there were whispers that he may play centre for the Habs, virtually solving their number one centre problem. At least, that’s what the hope was.
Montreal Canadiens: Cannon fire of the Columbus Blue Jackets
This will be the third and final time the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets meet up for a game. Each team has a win in the series as the Blue Jackets took the first decision in overtime while the Habs put up a good effort their second game-winning 3-1. Similarly to most of their games post-Trade Deadline, their opponent has a lot more to play for. The Blue Jackets are in a tight battle with the Florida Panthers for the final wild-card spot in the east.
Montreal Canadiens: A future contract for Eric Gelinas
The Laval Rocket have had a difficult season that hasn’t gone the way many hoped or expected. Similarly to the Montreal Canadiens, the team is just playing out the remainder of the year ahead of an offseason filled with decisions. Obviously, the way the roster shapes up to be will depend on what moves the NHL club makes.
Montreal Canadiens: Why isn’t Alex Galchenyuk at centre?
It comes down to two options when looking at Alex Galchenyuk‘s lack of playing time down the middle for the Montreal Canadiens. Is it stubbornness/an attempt to save face, or is there a bigger plan at large. The first option, at the moment, seems to be the most likely scenario to be taking place as it doesn’t make sense that the Habs haven’t plugged Galchenyuk down the middle.
Montreal Canadiens: Looking into the eyes of a Stanley Cup Contender
It fits that the Montreal Canadiens would play a game six hours earlier than usual this weekend. With Daylight Savings Time set to hit many people overnight, the Habs are hoping the only loss they experience is the extra hour of sleep. The Habs have struggled with starting on the time these last two games, and it’s resulted in two high-scoring games and 11 goals against. Additionally, their 5-0 loss to the Florida Panthers was the 10th time this season the team was shutout.
Montreal Canadiens: The importance of protecting Charlie Lindgren
Ever since the Montreal Canadiens sent Charlie Lindgren back to the AHL, fans were counting down the days until he was back in the NHL. His three-year extension with the Habs pretty much confirmed his role in the organization moving forward, and Carey Price‘s concussion presented the 24-year-old with another chance to play in an NHL arena. Lindgren got back on track stopping all 33 shots he faced in regulation and overtime.
Montreal Canadiens: Brett Lernout is looking for a shot at redemption
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 07: Look on Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Brett Lernout (36) stretching at warmup before the Tampa Bay Lightning versus the Montreal Canadiens game on April 7, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens injury bug will never stop. It decided to take another run at Phillip Danault keeping him out of last night’s match against the Florida Panthers with neck stiffness then made it’s way to Rinat Valiev.
Montreal Canadiens: Continuing the search for consistency
Tuesday’s game was the comeback that never was as the Montreal Canadiens found themselves down 4-0 early against the New Jersey Devils. The team made it interesting with goals from Brendan Gallagher, Jacob de La Rose, and Byron Froese, but it wasn’t enough. The final score was 6-4, and the Habs locked up another loss in the dark cloud that we like to call the 2017/18 regular season. Fortunately, it’s a not a complete mail-in season for the other members of the team.
Montreal Canadiens: How accurate was the NHLPA Player Poll?
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 14: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6) intercepting a shot in front of Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during game 2 of the first round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the New York Rangers versus the Montreal Canadiens on April 14, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The only time we get to see hear what players think is after a game.
Montreal Canadiens: A big day for the future of the team
BUFFALO, NY - JUNE 25: William Bitten poses for a portrait after being selected 70th overall by the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 NHL Draft on June 25, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes/Getty Images) Learning of the Montreal Canadiens getting Michael Pezzetta and William Bitten to entry-level contracts wasn’t a surprise at all.
Montreal Canadiens: The silver lining of the season
By the end of the first period, the Montreal Canadiens were down 4-0. It was safe to say that the game was already over at that point despite the fact that the Habs tried to climb back in the third. It was a 6-4 hockey game by the final buzzer and the team’s 30th loss but first regulation loss since February 17th. On the bright side, Brendan Gallagher scored…again.
Montreal Canadiens: Taking a lesson from the Vegas Golden Knights
Brendan Gallagher wasn’t the only positive thing about last night’s game (even though they lost). The Montreal Canadiens scored four goals, and Jacob de La Rose had two of them, bringing his season total to three. Not the number that many fans had in mind for the 22-year-old, but he has set a new career high in points with eight in 39 games. It’s performances like last night from de La Rose that make you stare at the screen and internally scream, “Where is this all the time Jacob?!”.
Montreal Canadiens: Enemy’s Insight – Finding something to play for
These Enemy Insights have been fairly interesting to do. In the past, there wouldn’t really be a reason to pay attention to what the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing if you’re a Montreal Canadiens fan, but now there is with the Tomas Plekanec conspiracy theories. In case you haven’t been paying attention, the Leafs have yet to win a game since the longtime Habs centre joined the fold. Last night’s loss to the Buffalo Sabres marked the team’s fourth ‘L’ in a row since they made the trade.
Montreal Canadiens: The odds that Max Pacioretty played his last game
Ahead of the Trade Deadline when the talk around Max Pacioretty was at its peak, fans thought that it would be Saturday, February 24th against the Tampa Bay Lightning. ‘That’ being the team captains final game in a Montreal Canadiens uniform. He was a name being thrown around up until the final minutes of the deadline, but when all was said and done, Pacioretty was still a Montreal Canadien.
Montreal Canadiens: The depth is becoming the key
The Montreal Canadiens injury bug has been one of the most active things all season. It started with Shea Weber who felt it’s wrath during game number one. Jonathan Drouin and Artturi Lehkonen had a taste as well missing games in the first half of the season. However, the injury bug has never been as strong as it is now. Weber was shut down, Carey Price is out with a concussion, Max Pacioretty and Victor Mete are out long-term, and most recently, Antti Niemi.
Laval Rocket: AHL Trade Deadline Day is here
The NHL Trade Deadline had a nice effect on the Laval Rocket from the moves made by the Montreal Canadiens. The biggest was obviously the Tomas Plekanec trade that had Kyle Baun leave the organization but had Rinat Valiev and Kerby Rychel join the fold. Since then, Valiev is up with the Habs while Rychel hasn’t taken a step back having the same impact on Laval as he did with the Toronto Marlies.
Montreal Canadiens: Max Pacioretty and Victor Mete likely out for the season
It looks like the Montreal Canadiens will be without another player for possibly the remainder of the season. Max Pacioretty sustained a lower-body injury near the end of the team’s 6-3 win over the New York Islanders. The Habs chose to send him back to Montreal to be evaluated, and the results are now out. Pacioretty is suffering from a knee injury and is expected to miss the next four to six weeks recovering from it.
Montreal Canadiens: Kerby Rychel is making his presence known
When a team trades for a player, you hope that they can maintain strengths and skills in the new organization. Although Rinat Valiev and Kerby Rychel were players who most likely welcomed the fresh start, they’ve already shown the Montreal Canadiens what they’ll be able to do on a nightly basis. Valiev is with the Habs already waiting to make his debut with the Habs while Rychel has made his stamp on the Laval Rocket.
Montreal Canadiens: Max Pacioretty sent home with lower-body injury
Victor Mete wasn’t the only loss of last night’s 6-3 victory. The Montreal Canadiens were also without their captain Max Pacioretty for the third period of the game. It was later revealed to be a lower-body injury, and now we know that it’s serious enough to send the 29-year-old home for further evaluation. It’s unfortunate for Pacioretty who was starting to find final gear in his game to finish off the rest of the regular season.
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